A UK-based aid worker has described how he and his colleagues narrowly escaped a Ukraine missile strike on a hotel in central Ukraine that left at least four people dead. The group, which included volunteers from the UK, US, and Ukraine, had been dining at the Central Hotel in Kryvyi Rih when the strike occurred on Wednesday night.
Karol Swiacki, a Polish national and founder of the Bournemouth-based charity Ukraine Relief, recounted the terrifying moments when the missile hit. “We are all safe. We didn’t have a scratch. It is incredible,” he said, adding, “We still don’t know how we survived this, honestly.”
Dnipropetrovsk regional head Serhiy Lysak confirmed that 32 people, including two children, were wounded in the attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown.
Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and seeing plumes of smoke rising from the devastated building. Emergency services arrived swiftly to rescue survivors trapped under the rubble. Some bystanders assisted in pulling injured people to safety, highlighting the resilience and bravery of those caught in the chaos.
What Were the Aid Workers Doing in Ukraine?
Swiacki and his colleagues have been in Ukraine delivering aid, including sports equipment, and renovating a school for 550 children. As part of their humanitarian efforts, they have been visiting shelters and orphanages. He was accompanied by Ukraine Relief’s trustee, Marc Edwards, a British national who now resides in the US.
At the time of the Ukraine missile strike, the group was having dinner with two US volunteers, two workers from a Ukrainian charity foundation, a young boy, and his pregnant mother.
“We’d just put our stuff in our rooms and went to eat with our local Ukrainian contacts, and the cell phone alarm went off, so we ran to the shelter,” Edwards recalled.
Swiacki described the terrifying moment: “We took two steps, and there was a big boom. Absolute nightmare. Everything just within seconds changed into a very apocalyptic scene – screams, alarms.”
Their mission in Ukraine was driven by a commitment to aiding civilians affected by the ongoing war. The charity workers had spent weeks distributing food supplies, medical aid, and educational materials to displaced families. Their work focused on ensuring that children in conflict zones had access to necessities and education despite the destruction around them.
What Was the Aftermath of the Missile Strike?
Video footage taken by Swiacki showed smoke filling the restaurant, with half-eaten meals and takeaway boxes left abandoned on the tables. “There was so much stuff that we couldn’t see where we were going,” he said.
Edwards confirmed that the Ukraine missile strike shattered all the windows, forcing them to climb out through a broken one. The duo then re-entered the hotel to check for injured people and to retrieve their belongings.
Stepping outside, they found their vehicles destroyed. “Our vehicles were full of aid, but they were all destroyed,” Edwards stated. Swiacki’s van, which had been parked outside the hotel, was “smashed completely to pieces.”
Edwards described the horrifying aftermath: “We heard some noises we don’t want to hear again. Somebody was trapped under the rubble next to our van and didn’t make it. Someone was hit by shrapnel and didn’t make it. I’m numb.”
Residents and rescue workers spent hours searching for survivors among the ruins. Some victims were pulled out alive, while others succumbed to their injuries before help could reach them. Many who lived through the blast were left in shock, struggling to comprehend the scale of destruction that had unfolded in mere seconds.
Did the Hotel Collapse in the Attack?
Swiacki believes the restaurant, located on the ground floor, was one of the few rooms that didn’t collapse. “The scene was crazy, an absolute nightmare,” he said.
Despite the shock and devastation, he remains committed to his mission. “I will never stop helping people after this,” he declared.
The attack left much of the hotel in ruins, with large sections of the building reduced to rubble. The force of the explosion caused structural damage to nearby properties as well, shattering windows and sending debris flying into the streets. Many residents, fearing further attacks, fled the area in search of safer shelter.
Humanitarian organizations working in Ukraine condemned the attack, emphasizing the urgent need to protect civilians and aid workers from the ongoing violence. “This strike is yet another reminder of the dangers faced by those who are risking their lives to provide aid in conflict zones,” a spokesperson for a relief organization said.
How Has Ukraine Responded to the Attack?
The Ukraine missile strike occurred just ahead of a European security summit attended by President Zelensky on Thursday. Reacting to the attack, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that it underscored “why Ukraine needs defense capabilities: to protect human lives from Russian terror.”
Ukrainian officials condemned the missile strike, calling for increased international support to bolster the country’s air defense systems. “We need more advanced weapons to intercept these deadly attacks before they reach our cities and civilians,” said a government representative.
The attack further heightened tensions in the region, prompting renewed discussions among world leaders about the necessity of additional military aid to Ukraine. International responses varied, with some nations reiterating their commitment to supporting Ukraine, while others urged diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation.
For the people on the ground, however, the immediate concern remains survival. “This war is not just about politics or military strategy; it’s about real people who are losing their homes, their loved ones, and their sense of security every day,” said a resident. “We just want to live without fear.”
What Is the Future for Aid Workers in Ukraine?
Despite the risks, humanitarian workers remain determined to continue their efforts. Many charities, including Ukraine Relief, have vowed to press on with their missions, ensuring that food, medical supplies, and shelter reach those who need them most.
“We can’t abandon the people who rely on us,” Swiacki said. “They need us now more than ever. This attack won’t stop us from doing what’s right.”
However, security concerns continue to grow. Aid organizations are now assessing whether additional safety measures are necessary to protect their volunteers. Some have called for designated safe zones where humanitarian operations can continue without the constant threat of attacks.
For now, Swiacki and his colleagues remain in Ukraine, undeterred by the devastation they have witnessed. Their resolve to help those in need remains unwavering, proving that even in the darkest of times, compassion and humanity persist.
The Ukraine missile strike serves as a grim reminder of the continued violence and instability in the region. As the conflict persists, the need for humanitarian aid grows ever more urgent. Aid workers like Swiacki and his team continue to stand on the front lines, providing hope and assistance to those caught in the crossfire of war.
